I learned the hard way tomato paste eats through a can. I had some only a few years old that leaked onto my shelving and stained them. Made quite a mess in my pantry.
I’m careful now to use up or throw away tomato paste within a year.
Also, the OP should check his 100 year old cans for swelling. A sign that toxic stuff is growing in the can. Eventually the can will burst, spewing the contents. If the can isn’t swelling, keep it for decoration.